Get to know your Volkswagen.

English · machine-assisted draft

In the lead-acid batteries discussed in Gerry’s battery FAQ, the liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and water in contact with the plates. Its density changes with charge state. This meaning is specific to that battery chemistry; it is not a generic name for every camper battery’s contents.

• battery
• chemistry

English · machine-assisted draft

A charger that regulates its output to maintain a selected charging current during that operating stage. This differs from holding voltage constant. Gerry’s 1995 FAQ uses the term for automotive lead-acid charging; its historical settings are not a charging program for every modern camper battery.

• battery
• charger

English · source definition

The housing around the engine cooling fan that directs airflow across the cylinders and cylinder heads on an air-cooled VW engine. Type 2 shrouds differ by engine and model year; this term does not describe the liquid-coolant radiator used on water-cooled Vanagons.

• engine
• air-cooled
• cooling

English · machine-assisted draft

An electrical load that continues drawing battery current when the vehicle is switched off. Gerry’s FAQ mentions clocks and other key-off equipment: some draw is intentional, while excessive draw reduces parked starting reserve. Camper appliances deliberately powered from a leisure battery should be distinguished from an unexplained starter-battery drain.

• battery
• load

English · machine-assisted draft

An instrument that measures a liquid’s specific gravity. In Gerry’s battery FAQ it is used with electrolyte from accessible cells of a flooded lead-acid battery, helping compare cells and estimate charge. It does not measure voltage and is not a general-purpose tester for sealed or lithium camper batteries.

• batteries
• hydrometer
• testing

English · machine-assisted draft

A battery designed for repeated, prolonged discharge and recharge, rather than chiefly for the brief high current used to start an engine. In camper discussions this distinction helps explain a leisure battery’s role. “Deep-cycle” is a duty description, not permission to drain any battery completely; chemistry and manufacturer limits still matter.

• battery
• type

English · machine-assisted draft

The ratio of a liquid’s density to that of water. In the flooded lead-acid battery context of Gerry’s FAQ, electrolyte specific gravity helps estimate charge and compare cells. It is different from electrolyte level; temperature and battery design affect interpretation. It is not a measurement for a sealed lithium camper battery.

• batteries
• specific
• gravity

English · machine-assisted draft

A lead-acid battery rating expressed in minutes under a specified discharge test. Gerry’s FAQ describes a 25-amp load at 80 °F until a 12-volt battery reaches 10.5 volts. It is neither amp-hours nor a prediction of camper runtime, which depends on actual loads, conditions and discharge limits.

• batteries
• reserve
• capacity

English · machine-assisted draft

An estimate of how much charge remains in a battery, commonly expressed as a percentage of full charge. It differs from battery health: a worn battery can be fully charged yet store little usable energy. The voltage and electrolyte-density table in Gerry’s 1995 FAQ concerns lead-acid batteries, not a universal camper-battery gauge.

• batteries
• maintenance